NBA Rumors: Latest Buzz on Potential 2014 Draft-Day Picks and Trades

The buildup has been entertaining, but much of the 2014 NBA draft drama will come to a head during the event itself, where unexpected picks and last-second trades steal the show.

It happens annually—after weeks of being unable to work things out, teams make one last pitch while on the clock or on the approach and make a notable trade. Likewise, we spend plenty of time pretending we know how things will shake out, until the unexpected strikes in the selection process.

For now, we can only work with what we know. Below are a couple of alleged blockbuster trades in the works, as well as a purported major draft-day rise for a somewhat risky prospect. Let's take a look.

…but a source told Sporting News that the Bulls have also engaged with the Kings in a potential deal for the No. 8 pick. …

The Bulls own the 16th and 19th picks in this year’s draft, and are not eager to bring in two rookies next season as they try to quickly field a contender. Chicago would be willing to move one or both of the picks if they could yield an asset that will help with the team’s scoring woes. The Bulls averaged just 90 points in their first-round loss to Washington, including 69 points in the series clincher.

Deveney goes on to suggest the Bulls have interest in names such as Doug McDermott, Gary Harris and NikStauskas, players who would provide some semblance of scoring ability from all over the court.

Which is exactly what Chicago needs, at least in part. Keeping the current squad mostly intact would be nice, as would the health of key players. But any of the above names, at the very least, provide consistent scoring from range.

A rather unexpected franchise has emerged as a contender for Cleveland's No. 1 overall selection, although opinions vary.

Spencer Checketts of 1280 The Zone in Utah, per Jody Genessy of the Deseret News, stated on his radio show recently that the Jazz are willing to move two key players and their No. 5 overall selection, not to mention absorb the Jarrett Jack contract (he's due $6.3 million in each of the next three seasons, per Spotrac), all in an effort to move up four spots:

Jazz are offering up Derrick Favors, Alec Burks and No. 5 pick to Cavs for the No. 1 selection and Jarrett Jack, according to @1280Spence.

Nuggets execs are comfortable with the ability of the team they have coming back and believe it can be a playoff contender. A needed tweak here or there can be handled through free agency. They do not need a draftee to come in and play big minutes. They weren’t going to necessarily need that anyway.

Translation—we believe we can contend, but boy we wouldn't mind an instant contributor like Jabari Parker.

The common thought process is to mock a foreigner such as Dario Saric or JusufNurkic to the Jazz as a future investment, but the team clearly would be content to give up assets and land one of the top two prospects in the class, as they should provided this is a league ruled by superstars.

Noah Vonleh is an interesting addition to the list, although it should not come as a surprise coming from a team with a huge need at power forward. While the addition of the somewhat pro-ready Aaron Gordon would be nice, Vonleh more suits the Celtics' current plans.

A bit of a project, Vonleh has shot up draft boards at 18 years of age thanks to his stature at 6'9" and 240 pounds, not to mention his stellar defensive abilities, only overshadowed at this point by perhaps touting the highest ceiling of any prospect in the class.

Knowing next year will not provide a quick turnaround, Vonleh is a smart investment should the Celtics prove to build with an eye on the future. Letting a rookie run wild next season is perhaps the best Boston can do at this point, so the Vonleh shoe undoubtedly fits.